Here are 12 interesting story lines and statistical tidbits to keep in mind when Atlanta hosts Portland at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in the 23rd edition of the MLS Cup (Saturday, Dec. 8, 8 p.m. ET on FOX and UniMas).

If Portland wins MLS Cup ... it will be the second time in four years.

If Atlanta wins MLS Cup ... it will be the 13th different team to win the league championship.

Quite a start: Atlanta United is going for its first league championship in just its second season of play. This would be an impressive feat. The 1998 Chicago Fire are the only expansion team in major U.S. pro sports history to win its league title. That, of course, was a very different MLS. In 1998, there were just 12 teams, and the most established teams were only three years old. There are 23 teams now in MLS and the competition decidedly more challenging. Since 1998, only three other MLS expansion teams have even made the playoffs (2009 Seattle Sounders, 2017 Atlanta United and 2018 Los Angeles FC).

Tata's Atlanta swan song: Atlanta United has reached its MLS Cup moment thanks in large part to its coach, Gerardo "Tata" Martino, who came to Atlanta with an impressive coaching résumé, having coached FC Barcelona and the Argentina national team, among others. After shepherding the expansion juggernaut through its first two seasons, the MLS Cup will be Martino's final game as coach of Atlanta United, as he is reportedly in line to take over as Mexico's national team coach. If he does go on to coach Mexico, Martino won't be the first MLS coach to do so. Juan Carlos Osorio, who coached Mexico in this year's World Cup, led the New York Red Bulls to an appearance in the 2008 MLS Cup.

Savarese's run of success: Giovanni Savarese led Portland to an MLS Cup in his first season as the team's coach. Previously, he enjoyed a successful run as coach of the New York Cosmos of the NASL (a league currently on a hiatus). He took the Cosmos to the NASL final four times, winning three titles. This year's MLS Cup will mark the fifth time in six years that a Savarese-coached team reached the championship game.

#Goals: If you're into goals (and, really, who isn't?), then Atlanta United is the team for you. Atlanta led MLS with 70 goals this season; it scored 70 as an expansion team in 2017. That's more than two goals a game on average over two seasons.

34 and counting: Atlanta United forward Josef Martinez set an MLS single-season scoring record with 31 goals in 2018. With three goals in the playoffs, Martinez set another record for most combined regular-season and postseason goals, topping Roy Lassiter's 33 for the 1996 Tampa Bay Mutiny.

Atlanta United fans have filled Mercedes-Benz Stadium at a record rate.(Photo: John David Mercer, USA TODAY Sports)

Hosting MLS Cup and Super Bowl: On Feb. 3, Mercedes-Benz Stadium will join the Rose Bowl as the only stadiums to host both an MLS Cup and the Super Bowl. Atlanta is the host for Super Bowl LIII. The Rose Bowl hosted the 1998 MLS Cup and five Super Bowls (XI, XIV, XVII, XXI and XXVII).

Postponed high school football championships: The Georgia state high school football championships were scheduled to be held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Dec. 7-8. MLS Cup is on Dec. 8. Good thing there was a contingency plan in place. Those state football finals now will take place Dec. 11-12.

Posted!

A link has been posted to your Facebook feed.

Atlanta United goalkeeper Brad Guzan lifts the MLS Cup as his teammates celebrate after their 2-0 win over the Portland Timbers in the Major League Soccer championshp game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Dec. 8. Brett Davis, USA TODAY Sports

Atlanta United forward Josef Martinez was named the MLS Cup MVP after scoring the game's first goal and assisting on the second to help his team win its first championship. John David Mercer, USA TODAY Sports

Atlanta United defender Michael Parkhurst holds the MLS Cup while celebrating with teammates after defeating the Portland Timbers 2-0 in the championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Brett Davis, USA TODAY Sports

Atlanta United forward Josef Martinez (7) and his teammates rush the field after defeating the Portland Timbers 2-0 in the 2018 MLS Cup championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Dale Zanine, USA TODAY Sports

Portland Timbers midfielder Diego Valeri celebrates after scoring a goal against Sporting Kansas City during the second half in the second leg of the MLS Western Conference Championship at Children's Mercy Park. Jay Biggerstaff, USA TODAY Sports

Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Tim Melia is unable to stop a pass from Portland Timbers forward Jeremy Ebobisse during the second half in the second leg of the MLS Western Conference Championship at Children's Mercy Park. Jay Biggerstaff, USA TODAY Sports

Atlanta United defender Michael Parkhurst holds up the trophy as the team celebrates after defeating the New York Red Bulls in the MLS Eastern Conference Championship at Red Bull Arena. Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports

New York Red Bulls goalkeeper Luis Robles defends the goal against Atlanta United forward Hector Villalba (15) during the second half of the second leg of the MLS Eastern Conference Championship at Red Bull Arena. Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports

New York Red Bulls midfielder Aaron Long (33) heads the ball over Atlanta United forward Josef Martinez (7) during the first half of the second leg of the MLS Eastern Conference Championship at Red Bull Arena. Vincent Carchietta, USA TODAY Sports

New York Red Bulls goalkeeper Luis Robles argues with referee Jair Antonio Marrufo during the first half of the second leg of the MLS Eastern Conference Championship at Red Bull Arena. Vincent Carchietta, USA TODAY Sports

Atlanta United forward Josef Martinez takes a photo with fans after defeating the New York Red Bulls in the first leg of the MLS Eastern Conference Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Brett Davis, USA TODAY Sports

Atlanta United defender Franco Escobar celebrates after scoring against the New York Red Bulls during the second half of the first leg of the MLS Eastern Conference Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Atlanta won the game, 3-0. John David Mercer, USA TODAY Sports

New York Red Bulls goalkeeper Luis Robles kicks the ball against the Atlanta United during the second half of the first leg of the MLS Eastern Conference Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. John David Mercer, USA TODAY Sports

Sporting Kansas City midfielder Felipe Gutierrez kicks the ball away from Portland Timbers midfielder Sebastian Blanco during the first half in the first leg of the MLS Western Conference Championship at Providence Park. The game ended in a 0-0 tie. Troy Wayrynen, USA TODAY Sports

New York Red Bulls midfielder Aaron Long (33) heads the ball toward goal as Columbus Crew defender Jonathan Mensah defends during the first half in the Eastern Conference semifinal at Red Bull Arena. NYRB won the game, 3-0, to advance to the Eastern Conference final. Vincent Carchietta, USA TODAY Sports

New York Red Bulls defender Aaron Long (33) celebrates with teammate Daniel Royer after scoring a goal against Columbus Crew SC in the first half in the Eastern Conference semifinal at Red Bull Arena. Geoff Burke, USA TODAY Sports

Goal is displayed on the halo board after a penalty kick goal by Atlanta United forward Josef Martinez in the first half against New York City FC in the Eastern Conference semifinal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Jason Getz, USA TODAY Sports

New York City FC defender Ben Sweat (2) battles for the ball with Atlanta United midfielder Darlington Nagbe (6) during the second half of the Eastern Conference semifinal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. John David Mercer, USA TODAY Sports